Integration of HIV/AIDS activities with food and nutrition support in ...

Integrated Programme Strategy 11:
Support for food-for-work (FFW) projects that employ
or directly assist PLWHA and HIV/AIDS-affected families
Where appropriate, food for work (FFW) can be considered for vulnerable households,
including those affected by HIV/AIDS. If PLWHA participate, the activities
should not be labour-intensive. In order to assist PLWHA in the community,
FFW activities may focus on the construction of health facilities, cultivation
of agricultural plots or participation in other support activities.
What does this integrated programme strategy aim to achieve?
FFW projects can provide a safety net whereby vulnerable households, including
vulnerable AIDS-affected households, receive food in exchange for services provided in
the community. This ration should increase the nutrient intake of household members.
FFW projects are intended to support the poorest households until livelihoods can be
established.
How would this integrated programme strategy be implemented?
Institutional collaboration and coordination. FFW programme management staff should
collaborate with health staff to ensure that AIDS-affected families participating in the
programme are followed up.
Emphasis on participatory and community-led approaches. HIV/AIDS-affected households
should participate in the development of FFW projects to ensure that they are able to perform
the activities required. HIV/AIDS-affected households tend to be labour-poor, and this should
be taken into account when the programme is designed). Members of AIDS-affected families
who are able to engage in heavy labour (e.g., construction) may participate in community
development projects and receive a family ration.
Logistics of implementation. In order to prevent stigmatization, FFW programmes should
target all vulnerable households in the community, rather than only those with HIV-infected
members. Where the FFW project is specifically intended for AIDS-affected households, management
staff should conduct interviews with AIDS-affected participants to evaluate the project.
Food should only be used as an incentive/enabler in FFW where food access is limited.
Food rations (value, size) should be provided in accordance with the level of involvement in
the various activities. the nutritional value of the rations can be considered where the diet has
particular deficiencies. Large-scale sale of rations should be avoided, although limited amounts
of food may be bartered for more appropriate or preferred food items. Participants in need of
support but receiving a general ration may be paid with other essential commodities, such as
non-food items. The appropriate payment is also determined by the availability of food and
non-food items to refugees locally. FFW projects provide a temporary safety net until the poorest
households can become self-reliant or community support restored. External support for
such programmes may in some cases be necessary for the duration of displacement because of
the limited number of opportunities to make a living. Development activities should be prioritized
to prevent long-term dependence.
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